A civil society group in Lanao del Sur has called on the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Commission on Audit (COA) to investigate allegations of unauthorized fund collection from priority barangays in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm).
According to documents obtained by Gold Star Daily, 400 barangays identified as priority areas received allocations ranging from P500,000 to P2.5 million between October and December 2024.
These funds, disbursed by the Office of the Chief Minister, were intended for food and medical assistance.
However, reports allege that after the funds were released to barangay accounts, individuals claiming to represent the Office of the Chief Minister arrived to collect significant portions, leaving only P200,000 in the barangay’s accounts.
Some barangay officials have raised concerns about the directive and questioned whether the individuals collecting the funds are genuinely connected to the BARMM government.
“This matter needs to be investigated thoroughly to verify the legitimacy of these alleged collections and the identities of the individuals involved,” the civil society group stated in a letter sent on January 23.
For its part, the Barmm government acknowledged the concerns.
Bangsamoro information officer Andrew Alonto said they are aware of the allegations and will conduct a verification process to determine their validity.
The group is urging authorities to clarify whether the disbursement and subsequent collection of funds were part of an official directive or an act of misconduct.
The incident raises concerns over transparency and accountability in fund disbursement and utilization within the Barmm, with potential implications for the region’s governance and trust among constituents.
